Fixing device for fan

ABSTRACT

A fixing device for fixing a fan to a bracket of a computer case includes a front frame, a latching member, and two lateral frames. The front frame is disposed against the bracket with an outer side, and at least one inserting column is protruded from an inner side of the front frame for being inserted into a screw hole of the fan. The latching member is an arched plate formed on an upper edge of the front frame with a bending portion extended downward, for being inserted into a latching hole of the bracket. The two lateral frames are perpendicularly extended from two opposite side edges of the inner side of the front frame, and each of the lateral frames has a positioning member for preventing the fan from moving away from the front frame, so as to hold and fix the fan between the two lateral frames.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 095127397 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on Jul. 26, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to fixing device for fixing a fan in a computer case. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fixing device allowing fast fan assembling and disassembling and capable of fixing a fan securely.

2. Related Art

Electronic devices need fans performing force convection to enhance heat dissipation efficiency, to ensure the temperature of electronic components within the working temperature range. Conventionally, a fan or fans are fixed in the case of an electronic device by fixing the fan to a bracket in the case or the back plate of the case with screws. However, fixing fans by screws is inconvenient as tools are required. Moreover, the number of the screws used for fixing the fan is often reduced to reduce the work needed for fixing a fan, and only one or two screws are used to fix the corners of the fan. Though the process for fixing the fan is simplified, and the number of screws required is also reduced, fixing force becomes insufficient, which leads to vibration of the fan.

Various fan fixing devices have been disclosed to simplify fan fixing, and increase fixing force to solve the problem of the vibration of the fan. For example, PRC Patent Publication No. CN2472459Y provides a “Shell fan fixer without screw nails”, which is a rectangular frame with hooks protruding from a side of the frame to hook the back plate of the case. The sides of the frame have latching elements of various sizes to be engaged with edges or flanges of the fan respectively, so as to fix the fan on the frame. However, CN2472459Y fixes the fan on the back plate of the computer case, so it is not applicable to fix fans inside computer cases of blade servers and so on. Meanwhile, the rectangular frame of CN2472459Y is only engaged with the edge of one side of the fan with the latching elements. If the axial length of the fan increases, the fixing force may become insufficient, thus leading to the vibration of the side of the fan away from the frame. Therefore, it is still an important technical subject that how to fix fans rapidly, simplify the fan fixing process, and increase the fixing power to reduce the vibration of fans.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the conventional fan fixing devices, it is difficult to achieve the requirements of fast fan assembling/disassembling and firmly fixing the fans at the same time. Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device for fixing a fan, which allows fast assembling/disassembling of the fan, and fix the fan firmly to reduce the vibration.

In order to achieve the aforementioned object, the present invention provides a fixing device for fixing a fan on a bracket in a computer case. The bracket of the computer case has a side plate and a top plate. The side plate is fixed to the computer case, which has at least one vent corresponding to the fan for air flow generated by the fan passing through. The top plate is perpendicularly extended from the upper edge of the side plate, and has a latching hole corresponding to the vent.

The fixing device of the present invention includes a front frame, a latching member, and two lateral frames. The front frame is disposed against the side plate with an outer side, and has at least one inserting column protruded from an inner side of the front frame. The fan leans against the inner side of the front frame, and the inserting column is inserted into a screw hole of the fan. The latching member is formed on an upper edge of the front frame for being inserted into the latching hole of the bracket. The latching member is an arched plate with a bending portion extended downward from the upper edge of the front frame. Two lateral frames are perpendicularly extended from two opposite side edges of the inner side of the front frame respectively. Each of the lateral frames has a positioning member formed thereon for preventing the fan from moving away from the front frame, so as to hold and fix the fan between the two lateral frames.

The advantage of the present invention is that no tools are required for fixing the fan to the fixing device or fixing the fixing device to the bracket. Therefore, fast fan assembling/disassembling is achieved by utilizing the fixing device of the present invention. Moreover, the fan can be fixed in the fixing device firmly while the fixing device can be fixed to the bracket firmly, thus the vibration due to the operation of the fan is reduced.

Detailed features and advantages of the present invention are described in the embodiment below, and the content is adequate for those skilled in the art to understand the technical content of the present invention and to implement the present invention. According to the content disclosed in the specification, the claims, and the drawings, those skilled in the art can easily understand the objects and advantages of the present invention.

The description on the content of the present invention above and the description on the embodiment below are used to exemplify and explain the principle of the present invention, and provide further explanation on the claims of the present invention.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below for illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of an embodiment of the present invention showing that the fan is separated from the fixing device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention showing that the fan is fixed to the fixing device;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention showing that the fixing device with the fan is fixed to the bracket of the computer case;

FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the embodiment of the present invention showing that the fixing device being fixed to the bracket;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are sectional views of the embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To make the object, structures, features and functions of the present invention more understandable, the present invention is illustrated below in detail with reference to the embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2 and 3, a fixing device 100 for fixing a fan 30 to a bracket 40 of a computer case is provided in an embodiment of the present invention, which includes a front frame 10 and two lateral frames 20. The fan 30 is held and fixed between the two lateral frames 20, and leans against the front frame 10. The front frame 10 is fixed to the bracket 40 in the computer case, so as to fix the fan 30 to a predetermined position in the computer case.

The bracket 40 has a side plate 41 and a top plate 42. The side plate 41 is perpendicularly fixed to a base board 52 of the computer case, and has a plurality of vents 411 corresponding to a plurality of fans 30 formed thereon. The vents are provided for air flow generated by fans 30 passing through. Meanwhile, a plurality of slot holes 412 is formed on the side plate 41, and the longitudinal direction of the slot holes 412 is perpendicular to the top plate 42. Two slot holes 412 form a pair, each pair of the slot holes 412 is corresponding to one vent 411, and the two slot holes 412 of the pair are located adjacent to two edges of the vent 411 respectively. The top plate 42 is perpendicularly extended from an upper edge of the side plate 41, and has a plurality of latching holes 421, and each of the latching holes 421 is corresponding to one of the vents 411.

The front frame 10 is plate-shaped, and has an outer side 11 and an inner side 12. The front frame 10 is disposed against the bracket 40 with the outer side 11, while the fan 30 leans against the inner side 12. An opening 13 corresponding to one of the vents 411 is formed in the central area of the front frame 10, for air flow generated by the fan 30,passing through.

A latching member 14 is formed on an upper edge of the front frame 10 for being inserted in to on of the latching holes 421 of the bracket 40. The latching member 14 is a U-shaped arched plate with a bending portion extended downward from the upper edge of the front frame 10 and opening upward. A latching portion 141 is formed on one side of the latching member 14 away from the front frame 10, wherein the latching portion is provided to be engaged with an edge of the latching hole 421. The latching member 14 is provided for being inserted into the corresponding latching hole 421, and at meanwhile, the latching portion 141 is engaged with the edge of the latching hole 421, such that the front frame 10 is fixed to the bracket 40. A handgrip 15 is pivotally connected to an edge of the latching member 14 to be swiveled relative to the latching member 14, such that the handgrip 15 is able to be swiveled to lean against the latching member 14, or swiveled to erect on the latching member 14. As the handgrip 15 erects on the latching member 14, it can be grab by a user to deform the latching member 14, such that the latching member 14 is ejected from the latching hole 421. In addition, two hooks 16 are formed on two edges of the outer side 11 of the front frame 10, and the hooks 16 are extended downward. As the front frame disposed against the bracket 40 with the outer side, the hooks 16 are inserted into the two slot holes 412 of the bracket 40 respectively, for hooking the bracket 40 and keeping the front frame 10 to be firmly fixed to the bracket 40. The front frame 10 has at least one inserting column 17 protruded from the inner side 12 of the front frame 10. The inserting column 17 is provided for being inserted into a screw hole 31 of the fan 30, such that the fan 30 can not be moved up and down relative to the front frame 10. Moreover, the front frame 10 has a through hole 18 formed thereon and corresponding to another screw hole 31 of the fan 30, for a screw 32 passing through the front frame 10 from the outer side 11 to the inner side 12 and being screwed into the screw hole 31 corresponding the through hole 18, so as to fix the fan 30 to the front frame 10 more firmly.

The two lateral frames 20 are perpendicularly extended from two opposite edges of the inner side 12 of the front frame 10 respectively The two lateral frames 20 are parallel to each other, and the distance therebetween is approximately equal to the width of the fan 30, so as to hold and fix the fan 30 between the two lateral frames 20. Two slits 21 are opened on one side of each of the lateral frames 20 away from the front frame 10. Each of the lateral frame 20 has two slits 21 formed on one edge, away from the front frame 10, and the two slits 21 are parallel to the upper edge and the bottom edge of each lateral frame 20, such that an elastic cushion portion 22 is respectively formed on the upper edge and the bottom edge of each lateral frame 20. Each elastic cushion portion 22 is extended outward to retract inward after being pressed and deformed inward.

Referring to FIG. 4 again, each of the two lateral frames 20 has positioning members 23 are formed on the top edges of each lateral frame 20, for preventing the fan 30 from moving away from the front frame 10. Each of the positioning members 23 has a cantilever 231 and a positioning block 232. The cantilever 231 is formed on each of the lateral frames 20 with the positioning block 232 is formed on the end of the cantilever 231, and positioning block 232 is extended towards the inner side of the lateral frame 20. Each of the positioning blocks 232 has a stopped surface 232 a and a slid surface 232 b. The stopped surface 232 a faces the front frame 10 while the slid surface 232 b is away from the front frame 10. When the fan 30 is placed between two lateral frames 20 and is moved toward the front frame 10, the flange 33 of the fan 30 slides against the slid surface 232 a to pushes the positioning blocks 232 to move outward, such that the cantilevers 231 are deformed and bent. Then the flange 33 is moved over the positioning block 232 to lean against the front frame 10, the positioning blocks 232 will be driven by the cantilevers 231 and return to their original positions, such that the stopped surface 232 a blocks the flange 33 of the fan 30 to stop the fan 30 moving away from the front frame, and the flange 33 is clamped between the positioning blocks 232 and the front frame 10. Thus, the fan 30 will not move away from the front frame 10. With the inserting column 17 and the positioning members 23, the fan 30 is held and fixed between the two lateral frames 20, and leans against the front frame 10 without falling off. The screw 32 may further firmly fix the fan 30 to the front frame 10. Certainly, the step of fixing the fan 30 with the screw 32 can be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 6A, when fixing the fan 30 to the bracket 40 with the fixing device 100, the hooks 16 of the front frame 10 are inserted into the slot holes 412 of the bracket 40 first, and the latching member 14 is placed above the latching hole 421. Then, the fixing device 100 is moved downward, such that the hooks 16 hook the ends of the slot holes 412. Meanwhile, the latching member 14 is inserted into the latching hole 421, such that the latching portion 141 is engaged with the edge of the latching hole 421. Thus, the latching member 14 is fixed in the latching hole 421 without ejecting from the latching hole 421.

Referring to FIG. 6B, when the fan 30 and the fixing device 100 are to be disassembled, the handgrip 15 is grab, such that the latching member 14 is deformed, and the latching portion 141 is no longer engaged with the edge of the latching hole 421. Then the fixing device 100 is moved upward, and the fixing device 100 is removed from the bracket 40.

Referring to FIG. 7, after the fan 30 is fixed to the bracket 40 with the fixing device 100, if a cover 51 of the computer case is fixed on the base board 52, the cover 51 and the base board 52 press the elastic cushion portions 22 respectively, such that the elastic cushion portions 22 are deformed and retract inward. The cover 51 and the base board 52 can hold the fixing device 100, which further improves the stability of the fixing device 100, such that the fan 30 will not vibrate vertically during operation. Even if the cover 51 cannot press the elastic cushion portions 22 directly, the bottom edges of the two lateral frames 20 can be pressed against the base board 52 to realize a supportive effect. Thus, the stability of the fixing device 100 is improved, and the vibration is reduced.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A fixing device for fixing a fan to a bracket in a computer case, wherein the bracket has a side plate and a top plate, the side plate is fixed to the computer case and has at least one vent corresponding to the fan, the top plate is perpendicularly extended from an edge of the side plate and has a latching hole corresponding to the- vent, the fixing device comprising: a front frame, disposed against the side plate with an outer side, having at least one inserting column protruded from an inner side of the front frame, wherein the fan leans against the inner side of the front frame, and the inserting column is inserted into a screw hole of the fan; a latching member formed on an upper edge of the front frame for being inserted into a latching hole in the fan frame, wherein the latching member is an arched plate with a bending portion extended downward from the upper edge of the front frame; and two lateral frames perpendicularly extended from two opposite side edges of the inner side of the front frame, respectively, and each of the lateral frames further has a positioning member formed thereon for preventing the fan from moving away from the front frame, so as to hold and fix the fan between the two lateral frames.
 2. The fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a latching portion is formed on the latching member to be engaged with an edge of the latching hole.
 3. The fixing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a handgrip pivotally connected to the latching member to be swiveled relative to the latching member, wherein the handgrip is provided to be grab by a user to deform the latching member.
 4. The fixing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one hook formed on the outer side of the front frame, wherein the hook is provided for hooking the bracket and keeping the front frame to be firmly fixed to the bracket.
 5. The fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front frame has a through hole corresponding to a screw hole of the fan, for a screw being passed through and screwed into the screw hole, so as to fix the fan to the front frame.
 6. The fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upper edge and a bottom edge of the lateral frame has an elastic cushion portion formed thereon respectively, and each elastic cushion portion is extended outward to retract inward after being pressed and deformed.
 7. The fixing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of the lateral frame has two slits formed on one edge of the lateral frame away from the front frame, and the two slits are respectively corresponding to each elastic cushion portion, such that each of the elastic cushion portions is capable of retracting inward after being pressed and deformed.
 8. The fixing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the positioning members has a cantilever and a positioning block, the cantilever is formed on each of the lateral frames with the positioning block formed on an end of the cantilever, and the positioning block is extended toward the inner side of the lateral frame to lean against a flange of the fan, such that the flange is clamped between the positioning block and the front frame.
 9. The fixing device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the positioning block has a stopped surface and a slid surface, the stopped surface faces the front frame while the sliding frame is away from the front frame, when the flange of the fan slides on the slid surface to pushes the positioning block to move outward and then the stopped surface blocks the flange of the fan to stop the fan moving away from the front frame. 